Device-compatible dinnerware

ABSTRACT

This invention represents a new category of dinnerware. The invention is configured to be compatible with, and enable insertion and use of, a smart phone or other electronic device, or other source of dynamic content, under or within the body of the dinnerware or in an appendage or attachment to be visible to the user.

This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/833,496, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of dinnerware. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of multi-purpose dinnerware. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of dinnerware that provides for an entertaining experience during use.

2. Background Information

There are dozens of known brands, styles and sizes of dinnerware. Most are produced as single-purpose, or even single-use, disposable clear or colored plastic plates, saucers and other containers.

There are numerous models and brands of dinnerware. However, none of the current designs enable the user to insert a smart phone or other electronic device or dynamic content under or within the dinnerware surface, or in an appendage or attachment, to be viewed while eating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention creates a new category of dinnerware that is compatible with, or designed to incorporate various hand-held electronic devices such as smart phones, gaming systems, and other electronic devices or sources of dynamic content commonly available. The present invention provides for holding the hand-held electronic device integrally with the dinnerware while also allowing the user to view and interact with the electronic device while eating. The integration may be achieved directly through the dinnerware (e.g., through a viewing window or aperture), or through a dinnerware appendage or attachment that connects to the dinnerware along a portion of the circumference of the dinnerware.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, the ability to integrate viewing of a smart phone or other electronic device, or other dynamic content, within dinnerware to provide an additional source of entertainment and enhance the dining experience, especially for young children, and allow more efficient use of electronic devices while dining, for example by providing a means of viewing content more easily and continuously, as enabled through the dinnerware. Given the rise in popularity and use of smart phone devices, and the applications contained in those devices to play videos, show photos and offer other types of multimedia capabilities, many parents, especially those with small children, rely on these devices during mealtime to entertain their children or motivate them to eat their food. Other users, including adults, also view their smartphones or other devices while dining and the present invention will better facilitate such use, as compared to current practice which typically is to either hold the content source in one or more hands or place it on the table or other dining surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention can have multiple embodiments, depending primarily on whether the viewing is achieved directly through the dinnerware or through a dinnerware appendage or attachment.

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention in which the viewing of the electronic device (not shown) is achieved directly through the dinnerware (10). A piece of dinnerware (10) represents a molded or formed apparatus for holding food. It has a top to accept food and a bottom to rest on a substrate. It also has a circumferential edge defining the shape of the dinnerware (10). The dinnerware (10) has a device viewing window that is an aperture between said top and bottom and is sized and shaped to allow visual or control access to a handheld electronic device.

The dinnerware (10) may be made out of typical dinnerware materials such as plastics or ceramics. It is anticipated that the dinnerware (10) could be a plate, saucer, tray, bowl, or other food serving device. The dinnerware (10) has a top that is designed to receive food, where the food may be solid or liquid. The transparent cover (12) may be made out of clear plastic, glass, or other materials clear enough to permit viewing but strong enough to resist breaking by the normal pressures to which the invention may be subjected. The dinnerware (10) may be divided into a series of compartments (14). The device viewing window may be adjacent to or surrounded by one or more of the food portion containers (14).

The transparent cover (12) is sized and shaped to fit the device viewing window and may be constructed of materials that allow the user to directly use and control touch screens and other screen interface options provided by the supported device (not shown). The transparent cover (12) acts as a screen protector, and is transparent although it may be tinted, antiglare, have reflected shielding (in order to see the device screen, a user must be a specific angle, thus privacy is increased), or mirrored. The transparent cover (12) protects the device screen (not shown) from scratches and damage caused by liquids, grease, and other food debris. It is anticipated that the junction between the transparent cover (12) and the dinnerware (10) will be sealed in order to resist the passage of liquids, further protecting the device. In order to create the seal, it is anticipated that adhesives or sealants, heating, fasteners, or mechanical structures such as lips and clips could be used to bond the dinnerware (10) to the transparent cover (12) while providing a water proof seal. Thus, the transparent cover (12) restricts liquids and food particles from passing through the device viewing window. When the transparent cover (12) is sealed to the top of the dinnerware (10), the device viewing window is made liquid proof.

Although it is anticipated that the transparent cover (12) could be in the form of a thin film, this embodiment of the transparent cover (12) would more likely incorporate a thicker more durable film with an expected thickness in the range of 0.003 inches to 0.3 inches. However, the thickness of the transparent cover (12) is determined by the intended use and desire of the user. If the user simply wants to view the device (not shown), the transparent cover (12) may be much thicker, the only limitation is that the user should be able to see through the transparent cover (12). If the user wants to be able to control a touchscreen on the device (not shown), then the transparent cover (12) thickness must allow for that action.

It is also anticipated that the transparent cover (12) may not be used to cover the device viewing window, which would remain an aperture or uncovered area. The electronic device (not shown) would still be held with its screen in the device (not shown) viewing window for visual and control access by the user. While this provides the clearest viewing of the device (not shown), as well as the easiest access to the device (not shown), it does not provide protection from the liquids and food held by the dinnerware (10).

The food portion containers (14) may be integral to the dinnerware (10), and may be made from the same materials, or may be separable and may be made from other typical dinnerware or food storage materials.

FIG. 2 shows that on the underside of the transparent cover (12), a device container (16) will facilitate insertion and removal of an electronic device or other content source and may provide access to optional accessories such as a headphone jack, remote control and power connections, etc. In addition, the dinnerware (10) may have one or more feet (18), as needed, to keep the device container (16) elevated from the table (for example, for spill protection) and keep the dinnerware (10) level. It is anticipated that the feet (18) could be extendable or rotatable in order to raise or lower the plane of the dinnerware (10). The container (16) is sized and shaped in order to accept a device (not shown) and hold the device (not shown) in place such that the viewing screen of the device (not shown) is held against and viewable through the transparent cover (12). If the user desires to control the device (not shown) from across the transparent cover (12) that it is preferable that the device (not shown) be held urged against the transparent cover (12).

The device container (16) may be integral to the dinnerware (10). By “integral” it is intended to mean that the device container (16) is formed as a part of the bottom of the dinnerware (10), or is not removable. Or, the device container (16) may be removable from the dinnerware (10) The device container (16) may be made from the same materials as the dinnerware (10), or it may be made from other materials adequate for the intended use. By “removable” it is intended that the device container (16) may be removed from the dinnerware (10) without damaging either.

The feet (18) also may be integral to the dinnerware (10), or may removable. The foot (18) raises the bottom of the dinnerware (10) off of the substrate.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention in which the viewing of the electronic device (not shown) is achieved through a dinnerware device holder (20). The device holder (20) is attached to or near a circumferential edge of the piece of dinnerware (10). The device holder (20) is configured to include a device viewing window with a transparent cover (12) contained on or within the aperture of the device viewing window. As with the first embodiment, the transparent cover (12) may be bonded to said device holder (20) so as to make the device viewing window liquid proof.

The device holder (20) is effectively the device container (16) attached to the dinnerware (10) at a different location. The device holder (20) facilitates insertion and removal of an electronic device (not shown) or other content source and is sized and shaped to accept and hold the handheld electronic device (not shown). The device holder (20) may provide access to optional accessories of the device (not shown) such as a headphone jack, remote control and power connections, etc. (not shown). Further, the device holder (20) holds the electronic device (not shown) urged against the transparent cover (12) making the viewing screen of the device (not shown) viewable and controllable by a user through the device viewing window.

FIG. 4 shows that the dinnerware (10) may have one or more feet (18), as needed, to keep the dinnerware (10) level or adjust the viewing angle from the user to the device (not shown) viewing window (12). This second embodiment of the present invention may include a mechanism (22) for removing the device holder (20) or adjusting the viewing angle of the transparent cover (12).

In the second embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dinnerware (10) may be made out of typical dinnerware materials such as plastics or ceramics. The transparent cover (12) may be made out of clear plastic, glass, or other materials clear enough to permit viewing but strong enough to resist breaking by the normal pressures to which the invention may be subjected. The transparent cover (12) further may be constructed of materials that allow the user to directly use touch screens (not shown) and other screen interface options provided by the supported device (not shown). The transparent cover (12) also may be an uncovered aperture. The device holder (20) may be integral to the dinnerware (10), or may be removable. The device holder (20) may be made from the same materials as the dinnerware (10), or other materials adequate for the intended use. The feet (18) also may be integral to the dinnerware (10), or may be removable. The feet (18) may be made from the same materials as the dinnerware (10), or other materials adequate for the intended use.

The mechanism (22) for adjusting the viewing angle of the transparent cover (12) allows a user to move the mechanism (22) rotationally about a horizontal axis and select an angle or position of the device holder (20). The mechanism (22) is anticipated to be comprised of various individual components, such as hinges, clamps, ratchets in which movement about a horizontal axis is permitted when urged by the user, but movement is resisted when not urged by the user. The mechanism (22) may also allow the user to remove the device holder (20) from the dinnerware (10) without damage to the mechanism (22), the dinnerware (10), and the mechanism (22).

While the foregoing written description enables one of ordinary skill to make and use the present invention, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention therefore should not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for holding food comprising: a piece of dinnerware having a top and a bottom, wherein said top is designed to receive food and said bottom is designed to rest on a substrate; wherein said piece of dinnerware has a device viewing window, wherein said device viewing window is an aperture between said top and bottom; a device container attached to said bottom, wherein said device container is sized and shaped to accept and hold a handheld electronic device; and wherein said device viewing window is sized and shaped to hold a handheld electronic device and allow visual or control access to said handheld electronic device through said device viewing window.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a transparent cover sized and shaped to fit the device viewing window, wherein said transparent cover is attached to said dinnerware such that liquids and food particles are restricted from passing through the device viewing window; and wherein said device container holds the viewing screen of said device urged against said transparent cover.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said transparent cover is in the range of 0.003 inches to 0.3 inches thick.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said transparent cover is sealed to said top of said piece of dinnerware so as to make said device viewing window liquid proof.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said device container is removable from said dinnerware.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said device container is not removable from said dinnerware.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said device container is removable from said dinnerware.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said device container is not removable from said dinnerware.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a foot attached to said bottom, wherein said foot raises said bottom off of said substrate.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a foot attached to said bottom, wherein said foot raises said bottom off of said substrate.
 11. An apparatus for holding food comprising: a piece of dinnerware having a top and a bottom and a circumferential edge, wherein said top is designed to receive food; a device holder that is attached to or near said circumferential edge, wherein said device holder is sized and shaped to accept and hold a handheld electronic device; said device holder having a device viewing window aperture; a transparent cover sized and shaped to fit the device viewing window, wherein said transparent cover is attached to said dinnerware such that liquids and food particles are restricted from passing through the device viewing window; and wherein said device container holds the viewing screen of said device urged against said transparent cover.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a mechanism providing for the attachment of the device holder to the dinnerware; said mechanism being rotatably movable about a horizontal axis such that the viewing angle of the transparent cover may be adjusted; and said mechanism being rotatably movable when urged by a user but resisting rotation when not urged by a user.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a foot attached to said bottom, wherein said foot raises said bottom off of said substrate. 